PM-30MV or G0704 for CNC Conversion
I am currently looking to upgrade my X2 clone (MicroMark) that has been converted to CNC. It's just too small for what I want to do. When I converted it, I bought all the electronics and motors necessary for a bigger mill, so I already have almost everything I need for a conversion (controller, motors, etc). I use 570 oz/in steppers, 5060D drivers, etc.
I was originally planning on the G0704 based on how much documentation there is on it. But the more I started looking, the PM-30MV seems like a better mill. It now uses the KB Electronics speed control board, has a bigger motor than the G0704 (a common upgrade/complaint it seems), and the price isn't that much more.
I mostly do alumunum, and really only use my mill for fun. I don't need insane accuracy/precision, or need to cut exotic materials. But, I also want to make a wise investment and not regret buying the wrong mill either. My shop is also relatively small, so the 30MV is about as big as I could go (I would probably not even get the longer table, because it takes up more room, and I don't need that much x travel).
I bought Hoss' DVD like everyone else, and it looks like MOST everything would translate to the PM-30MV. But at the same time, I don't want to go on a wild good chase trying to shoe-horn everything into a different mill. I was planning on buying the C7 ballscrews from automation technologies, and using my X2 to mill all the other parts. Any thoughts? Is the PM-30MV really worth the extra few hundred?